Dyeing-machine.



H. M. DUDLEY.

DYEING MACHINE- APPLICATION FILED SEPT-24.1917.

1,280,189. Patented Octl, 1918.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

v JL LJ Q w ATTORNEY m: Ammwls PETERS c0. Moroumm. wAsNlNcroM. a. 1..

H. M. DUDLEY.

DYEING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT- 24, um.

1,280,189. I Patented Oct. 1, 1918.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

154.4 A TTOR/VE) H. M. DUDLEY.

DYEING MACHiNE. APPLICATION FILED SEPT-24,1917- Patented Oct 3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

,4 TTORA/EV tinrrnn STATES PATENT curios.

HOWARD M. DUDLEY, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

DYEING-MAGHINE.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HOWARD M. DUDLEY, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Philadelphia, in the county of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Dyeing-Machines, of which the following is a specification.

My invention refers to dyeing machines and refers particularly to a machine sultable for the dyeing of worsted tops and warp balls.

One object of my invention is a device whereby worsted tops, warp balls and similar fibers may be thoroughly and evenly dyed and treated with liquids.

Another object of my invention is a device Whereby fibers in the condition stated above may be dyed and treated Without injury to the fiber.

Another object of my invention is a device whereby fibers in the condition stated above may be readily and rapidly packed into dyeing chambers and compressed into a form suitable for even penetration.

Another object of my invention is a device whereby a considerable number of balls, tops etc, may be dyed equally.

Another object of my invention is a device whereby the condition of the fiber during the dyeing operation may be determined without interrupting the dyeing operation.

Another object of my invention is a testing device combined with the dyeing device in such a manner that the contents of the testing device may be examined without interrupting the operation in the dyeing device.

These and other objects of my invention will be evident upon a consideration of my specification and claims.

The dyeing of worsted tops, warp balls and similar fibers presents several difficulties which must be overcome in order to produce even and satisfactory results.

On account of the physical condition of the fibers they must not be disturbed during the dyeing operation, but must be retained in their original condition. It is further essential that even and uniform penetration of the dye liquid be accomplished in all parts at the fi er and t i ad an a eous that Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 1, 1918.

Application filed September 24, 1917. Serial No. 192,898.

a means be employed for determining the dyed condition of the fiber without disturbing the fiber or breaking the threads thereof.

The device of my invention overcomes all of these difficulties and presents a method whereby fibers of the character mentioned may be dyed evenly and uniformly and their condition disclosed at any time during the dyeing operation without disturbing the fiber or interrupting the dyeing operation.

The device of my invention consists broadly in a machine in which the tops or balls may be properly compressed within fiber chambers and supported from the openings in the foraminous plates through which the liquid is forced by means which will allow the liquid to be impinged upon practically the entire outer surface of the fiber mass, such flow of liquid being capable of being reversed through the fiber mass. In order to further cause a uniform impregnation of the fiber mass, I insert a converging member in the path of the liquid in such a manner that the liquid will be forced under a uniform pressure and in equal amounts through all of the fiber chambers within the device.

It also embraces a testing machine for determining the condition of the fiber at any time without the expenditure of time and serious effect upon the fiber incident to open ing the fiber chambers and removing a portion of the fiber for examination.

v The accompanying drawings, in which similar parts are designated by similar numerals, illustrate one form of the device of my invention:

Figure 1 is a side-plan view, partly in cross-section.

Fig. 2 is a cross-section through the line 22 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a cross-section through the line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4. is a broken top-plan view of a foraminous plate of a fiber chamber.

Fig. 5 is a view in the direction of the arrow 5 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a cross section through the line 6-6 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged cross-section of the testing device.

Fig. 8 is a modification of the bottom portion of the device.

Fig. 9 is a side view of a modified form of a bar in the foraminous plate.

F ig. 10 is an end view of the bar shown in Fig. 9.

I11 the particular form of a device of my invention, shown in the accompanying drawings, a receptacle 10 has within it a series of cylindrical fiber chambers, 11, ll, 11. The central portion of the receptacle 10 is extended oppositely into the conical membore 12, 12. Integral with the sides of the receptacle 10 is an annular angular flange member 13 having the outwardly extended annular member 14. The top 15 is, extended outwardly into the pipe 16 which is threaded to the pipe 17. The pipe 17 is connected to the pipe 18 by means 01" the coupling 19. The pipe 18 carries the valve 20. The lower portion oi the top 15 is extended into the annular flange 21. Integral with the top 15 is a series of downwardly extended annular members 2 1, 24:, each of which is slidable within one of the fiber chambers 11, 11 and capable of abutn'ient upon the movable foraminous plates 25, 25. The flange member 21. is movable withrespect to the flange member 14 by means of the screw bolts 26. 26 which are threaded therethrough. In tegral with the top 15 is a series of concentric plates 22, 22 supported by the cross-bars 23, 23. Integral with the sides of the chamber 10 .is angular annular'meinber 28, having the outwardly extended annular member 29. The bottom 30 is extended outwardly into the pipe 31 which is threaded to the pipe 3 The upper portion of the bottom 30 i extended into the annular flange 33 which is bolted to the annular flange member 29 by means of the bolt 3%, A series of concentric plates 12 supported to each other by the cross-bars 23, 23 resting upon the annular offset 37.

The pipe 18 is connected to the pump 38 by means of the bushing 39 which will allow of a vertical movement of the pipe 18 therethrough. The pipe is connected to the pipes a0 and ll, the latter carrying the valve 6 2 and being connected to the pump 38. The pipe 40 carries the valve %.3 and is connected to the pipes 44 and -15. The pipe 44 carries the valve 46 and opens into the upper portion of the receptacle 10 above the fiber chambers 11, 11. The pipe opens into the upper part of the reserve tank 17. A pipe 18 carrying the valve 19 connects the bottom of the reserve tank 17 with the pump 38. A pipe 50 carrying the valve 51 connects the pump 33 with a dissolving tank, not shown. A pipe 52 carrying the valve 53 is connected with the lower portion of the pump 38 for draining the latter. A pipe 51 carrying the valve 55 is connected with the lower portion of the bottom 30 r'or drain ing the receptacle 10. A hook-eye 110, integral with the top 15, serves as a means for removing the top from the device.

A testing device is comprised of the cylindrical members connected to the two pipes 61 and 62 by means of the bushed couplings 63 and 64:. The pipe 61 carries the valve 65 and is threaded into the conduit 66 in the member 13. The pipe 62 carries the valve 67 and is threaded into the conduit.

68 in the members 23. Within the cylindrical member 60 and threaded therewith are the :toraminous members 69 and 70. In order to load the testing device the bushed couplings 63 and 6% are revolvedfrom engagement with the cylindrical member 60 and the latter removed. The member'69 i then unscrewed from engagement with thecylinder 60 and removed, the balls of fiber 71, 71 introduced into the cylinder 60, the member 69 screwed down until the desired pressure is obtained upon the fiber and the cylinder introduced between the couplings 63 and 6% which are then screwed into engagement. A testing device similar to the above described accompanies each of the fiber chambers.

The foraminous plate 35 is similar to the foraminous plate 25 and comprise a series of parallel bar members 80, each composed of a downwardly converging member 31 and an upwardly converging series of serrated members 82, 82. In the foraminous plate 25 the serrated members extend downwardly. In the modification of the foraminou plates, illustrated in Figs. 9 and 10, the bars consist ofan upwardly and downwardly converging member 83 carrying an extended serrated thin plate 8 1-.

In the modified form of the bottom 36 illustrated in Fig. 8, the sides of the bottom are so formed as to be practically parallel with the nested members.

The operation of the device,.assun1ing that the fiber chambers are open and empty, is as follows l i The warp balls 100, 100 are placed in each fiber chamber 11, the plate 25 is placed thereon, and the top 15 with its integral parts lowered so that each member 2 1 is within one of the fiber chambers 11, and pressed upon the plate 25 by means or": the screw bolts 26, 26 until the proper compression is obtained upon the warp balls 101), 100.

When the desired condition of compression is reached, the pipe 18 is lowered or raised by movement through the bushing 39 until it is in alinement with the pipe 17, to which it is attached by means of the coupling 19. The testing device is loaded with the fiber balls 71, '71. and connected with the pipes 61, 62 as previously described.

All of the valves are closed with the ex 45 l slidable within the chamber, means for movception of valves 51, 42,46, 65 and 67 and the pump-started, drawing the liquid from the CliSSOlVing tank through the pipes 50,

41, 32 and 31 into the bottom 30 and thence between the nested members 22, 22, the space 105, the plates 35, 35, the fiber mass, the plates 25, 25 and the pipe 45 into the reserve tank 47. N hen sufficient liquid has been introduced, the valve 51 is closed and the valve 49 opened, thus. allowing a continuous circulation or the liquid upwardly through the device. During this operation, the liquid also passes from the space 105 through the conduit 68, the testing device and the conduit 66 into the space 106. From time to time the direction of the liquid stream is reversed by closing all of the valves with the exception of valves 20, 43, 49, 65 and .67, which causes the liquid to fiow downwardly through both devices into the reserve tank and to the pump 38.

In oi-"cr to determine the condition of the treated fiber, the valves 65 and 67 are closed, the testing device removed and the fiber therein examined, the examination being conducted without interrupting the operation in the larger device. When the dyeing operation is completed, the pump 38 is stopped and valve opened, thus draining thefliquid from the device. The valve 55 is then closed and the fiber Washed by forcthrough the device by means of the pump 38; The device is then opened and the fiber removed.

I do not limit myself to the size, number, shape or arrangement of parts as described and shown, all of which can be varied without going beyond the scope of my inventionas described and claimed.

What I claim is p 1. In adyeing machine, in combination, a receptacle, a series of fiber chambers having imperforate sides Within the receptacle, each chamber having a fixed foram-inous bottom. plate and a formainous top plate ing the top plate with respect-to the bottom plate and retaining it in any predetermined position, means for passing a liquid in 0pposite directions through the foraminous plates and the fiber chambers and inwardly diverging members "within the path of the liquid adapted" to produce a divergence of theliquid column. 1

2.111 a dyeing machine, in combination, a receptacle, a series of fiber chambers hav ing imperforate sides within the receptacle, a foraminous "bottom plate ineach fiber chamber, a foraininous top plate slidably movable within each fiber chamber; means I for moving the top'plate with respect to the bottom plate and maintaining it in any predetermlned position, a series of inwardly diverging members belowthe' bottom plates liquid column, a series of inwardly diverging members above the top plates adapted to produce a divergence of the liquid column and means for forcing a liquid in either direction through the device. 1

3. In a dyeing machine, in combination, a receptacle, a'series of fiber chambers having impert'orate sides within the receptacle, a foraminous bottom plate in each fiber chamber, a foraminous top plate slidably movable within each fiber chamber, means for moving the top plate with respect to the bottom plate and n'laintaining it in any predetermined position, a removable top cover to the receptacle, a series of inwardly diverging members within the top adapted to produce a divergence of the liquid column, a series of inwardly diverging members within the bottom of the receptacle below the fiber chambers, adapted to produce a divergence of the liquidcolumn, a pump, liquid carrying means connecting the top cover with the pump, and liquid carrying means connecting the bottom of the receptacle with the pump to allow of the continuous circulation of a liquid in either direction through the device.

4:. In a dyeing machine, in combination, a receptacle, a series or" fiber chambers having imperforate sides within the receptacle, each chamber having a fixed foraminous bottom plate and a foraininous top plate slidable within the chamber, means for mov ing the top plate with respect to the bottom plate and retaining it in any predetermined position, oppositely extended convergent members situated centrally of the series of fiber chambers extending above and below the upper and lower plates adapted to produce a divergence of the liquid column, a series of inwardly diverging members situated around the oppositely extended convergent members adapted to produce a divergence of-the liquid column, and means for passing a liquid in opposite directions through the foraminous plates and the fiber chambers.

5. In a dyeing machine, in combination, a receptacle, a series of fiber chambers having imperforate sides within the receptacle, a foraminous bottom plate having upwardly extended members in each fiber chamber, a foramino'us top plate having downwardly extended members in'each fiber chamber, means for moving one foraminous plate with respect to the other and maintaining it in any predetermined position, means at each end of the device capable of distributing a liquid evenly over the outer faces of the plates and means for forcing a liquid in either direction through the device;

6; In a dyeing machine, in combination, a

receptacle, a series of fiber chambers having imperforate sides within the receptacle, a foraminous bottom plate having upwardly extended members in each fiber chamber, a foraminous top plate having downwardly extended members in each fiber chamber, means for moving one forai'ninous plate with respect to the other and maintaining it in any predetermined position, oppositely extended convergent members situated centrally of the series of fiber chambers extending above and below the upper and lower plates adapted to produce a divergence of the liquid column, a removable top to the receptacle, a series of inwardly divergent members within the top adapted to produce a divergence of the liquid column, a series of inwardly divergent members within the bottom of the device adapted to produce a divergence of the liquid column, a pump, liquid carrying means connecting the top of the receptacle with the pump, and liquid carrying means connecting the bottom of the receptacle with the pump to allow of the continuous circulation of a liquid through the device in either direction.

7. In a dyeing machine, in combination, a receptacle, a series of fiber chambers having imperforate sides within the receptacle, a foraminous bottom plate in each fiber chamber, a foraminous top plate slidably movable Within each fiber chamber, means for moving the top plate with respect to the bottom plate and maintaining it in any predetermined position, a series of inwardly divergent conduits below the bottom plates, a series of inwardly divergent conduits above the top plates, a removable top cover to the receptacle, a pump, liquid carrying means eonnectin g the top cover with the pump, and liquid carrying means connecting the bottom of the receptacle with the pump to allow of the continuous circulation of a liquid in either direction through the device.

8. In a dyeing machine, in combination, a receptacle, a series of fiber chambers having imperforate sides within the receptacle, each chamber having a fixed foraminous bottom plate and a foraminous top plate slidable within the chamber, means for moving the top plate with respect to the bottom plate and retaining it in any predetermined position, inwardly diverging members above the top plate adapted to produce a divergence of the liquid column. inwardly diverging 7 members below the bottom' plate adapted to device above the top plate with the upper portion of the testing device, means whereby the flow of liquid through the testing device may be interrupted without interrupting the flow of the liquid through the larger device and means for forcinga liquid in either direction through the fiber chambers and the testing device. 7

9. In a dyeing machine, in combination, a receptacle, a series of fiber chambers having imperforate sides within the receptacle, a foraminous bottom plate having upwardly extended members in each fiber chamber, a foraminous top plate having downwardly extended members in each fiber chamber,

means for moving one foraminous plate with ,2

respect to the other and maintainng it in any predetermined position, inwardly diverging members above the top plate adapted to produce divergence of the liqui-c column, inwardly diverging members below the bottom plate adapted to produce a divergence of the liquid column, a smaller testing device similarand proportionate to the fiber chambers and exterior to the receptacle, liquid carrying means connecting the portion of the larger device below the bottom plate with the lower portion of the testing device, liquid carrying means connecting the portion of the larger device above the top plate with the upper portion of the testing deviee,'means whereby the flow of liquid through the testing device may be interrupted without interrupting the flow of the liquid through the larger device and means for forcing a liquid in either direction through the fiber chambers and the testing device.

10. Ina dyeing machine, in combination, a receptacle, a series of fiber chambers having'impertorate sides within the receptacle, a foraminous bottom plate in each fiber chamber, a foraminous top plate slidably movable within each fiber chamber, means for moving the top plate with respect to the bottom plate and maintaining it in any predetermined position, inwardly diverging liquid distributing means below the bottom plates, inwardly diverging liquid distributing means above the top plates, oppositely extended convergent members situated centrally of the series of fiber chambers extending above and below the upper; and lower plates adapted to produce-a divergence of the liquid column, a removable top cover to the receptacle, a pump, liquid carrying means connecting the top cover with the pump and liquid carrying means connecting the bottom of the receptacle with the pump, a series of smaller testing devices similar and proportionate to the fiber chambers and exterior of the receptacle, liquid carrying means connecting the portion of the larger device below the bottom plate with the lower portion of each testing device, liquid carrythe larger device and means for forcing a means connectlng the portion of the larger liquid in either direction through the fiber device above the top plate with the upchambers and the testing devices.

per portion of each testing device, means Signed at Philadelphia in the county of 5 whereby the flow of liquid through each Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania,

testing device may be interrupted Without this 18th day of September, 1917. interrupting the flow of the liquid through HOWARD M. DUDLEY.

- Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of IEatents,

Washington, D. G. 

